Rotary automatic feed for crosscut saws for parqueting flooring and the like



Pl'll 2U, 1937. A. G. T. HICKMAN 2,078,177

RQTARY, AUTOMATIC FEED .FOR CROSSCUT SAWS FOR PAHQUEINI FLCC'RNG AND THE LIKE rch e. 1955 Filed slots must be of suiiicient the hook of the the discs,

Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY AUTOMATIC FEED FOR CROSSCUT SAWS FOR PARQUETING FLOORING AND THE LIKE and Hepburn, vaal, Union of limited liabilities Limite Brakpan, Union Hunt, Leuchars Application March e, 1935, serial No. 9,597

In the 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a saw for cutting parqueting floors.

The purpose of the invention is primarily to provide an automatic feed for a three saw parqueting flooring crosscutting machine. Battens of timber of a suitable length, planed and grooved in the required manner are brought one by one into contact simultaneously with three circular saws which cut the batten into two flooring blocks.

The battens must be slightly longer than the two finished blocks so as to allow for the cuts ci the saws and the small waste pieces which are trimmed off each end.

The three circular saws, which are mounted on a spindle, are spaced toI allow two blocks of the correct length to be cut when the batten comes into contact with them.

The battens are fed one by one into a guide hopper which is placed vertically over the centre of three circular metal discs, which revolve on a iixed spindle. Each of these three discs has three rectangular slots cut out of their circumference at 120 degrees to each other. These width and depth to allow one batten only to rest in them at a time.

The battens in the hopper lie on the three discs, and as the discs revolve the battens tilt, and one edge of the bottom batten drops on to hopper, and the other edge of the bottom batten drops into one of the slots in the discs, and as the three discs continue to revolve the batten becoming released from the hook, lies in one ofthe series of three slots in and is steadied by a spring in the hopper, and the batten is then caught by clamps operated by cams which grip it tight, preventing any movement when the batten comes in contact with the three saws, and automatically releasing the batten when cut through by the fixed spindle of the saws. The batten (which has become two blocks and remnants) then falls by gravity from the slots on to a conveyor belt.

The rotating spindle of the three saws and the three discs are parallel, and on the same horizontal plane. The saws and the discs revolve in a reverse direction, and as the batten is carried round by the discs it enters the path of the periphery of the saws, and is cut into two blocks. The centre disc has an opening out coming into to allow the periphery of the middle saw to revolve within it, and the distance between the outside discs 1s shorter than the distance between the outside saws to allow the saws to revolve withcontact with the discs.

Union of South Africa May 4, 1934 The discs and saws are operated by suitable power, the discs revolving slowly, while the saws are run at high speed.

The said invention is more particularly described in and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan of the apparatus with hopper S removed for clearness.

` Fig. 2 shows a sectional elevation of apparatus.

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation oi spring L, pressing against corner of batten W with stop Ki.

Referring to the above figures, spindle A carries worm B shown dotted, which gears with worm wheel C. This worm wheel is cast solid with flange D, and is bolted to one of the circular discs E. This circular disc 1s connected to a centre circular disc G by stay rods or brackets F and the centre disc G is connected by rods or brackets FI to circular disc H, the whole then rotating as one piece about (shaft J is xed and does not rotate). Each of these discs has a boss at the centre bored out to take a ball bearing which runs on the fixed shaft J. Shaft J is supported by brackets K at each end, and carries two cams L, which as will be seen later operate clamping devices M. Position of cams L can be varied by slackening screws Ml, moving shaft and earns to the required position, then securing by screws Ml. Three circular saws N securely fixed to shaft O are driven at high speed by belt and pulley P in direction of arrow Q, the centre saw being accommodated in the centre disc G by means of an opening R made solely for the clearance.

In operation, guide hopper S (see Fig. 2) is lled from the top with battens, which are a loose iit, and fall to the bottom, each one in turn being brought up against stop Kl by means of a spring Ll attached to hopper S. The lower batten rests across the three discs E, G and H. The threediscs mentioned have three rectangular slots U cut out of their circumference at degrees to each other. These discs rotate in direction of arrow V, and when one of the `openings U comes directly under hopper S the lower batten falls into it. Corner W first enters the slot as hooks X at the rear prevent it falling iiat. Spring Y keeps the lower batten in place until ejected. Springs Z keep the batten pressed down in slots U until it is held by clamping device M. The following edge NI or slot U pulls the batten away from the bottom end of hopper S. L are the cams. AI are levers each carrying two spring loaded pins BI, the latter one being xed to plates Cl. The levers Al pivot at Dl (supports F guide As will be seen from the drawing clamp M is the hatten against said stop, a hook mounted on holding one batten TIv which is being cut into one side of said guide hopper adjacent the bottom two equal lengths E l During the actual cutting, thereof and upon which the battens rest and a lever Al with plate CI rides on larger portion of spring member mounted on the opposite side for cam L, thereby keeping the batten tight. By the pressing the batten against said hook whereby the consequently release the batteri by virtue of remOVed at One time, and a SSCOU- Spring memsprings GI, which keep plates Cl in contact with ber connected te said hopper for depressing the the cam. hatten in saidslots until engaged by said clamp- When released the batteri falls on to conveyor ing member belt Hl, and is taken to stock in direction of ar- 3. In a feeding device for crosscut saws for row JI. parqueting iooring and the like, at least two cirtrimming the ends of the batteri and not cutting having slots adapted to receive a betten, a lever it into two. mounted intermediate its ends upon said rod be- I-Iaving now particularly described and ascertween said circular discs, one end of said lever ten, a stop at one end of said guide hopper and 011i? by Said Saw- 4. In a feeding device for crosscut saws for parbatten against said stop, a h'ook mounted on one Queting ooling and the like, a Circular diSC, at side 0f said guide hopper adjacent; the bott-,0m least two other circular discs situated on opposite thereof and upon which the battens resi; and a, sides of the lirst-mentio-ned circular disc, means 

